36 people were arrested, and 11 others are currently wanted by authorities, after a months-long investigation involving drug and gang-related offenses across several North Georgia counties.
The investigation also saw drug agents seize over 136 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at $1.76 million, as well as approximately $100,000 cash.
"Operation The Real McCoy," as it was named by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), centered on the alleged drug trafficking and distribution organization overseen by Brannon McCoy, 26, Michael Hazelwood, 45, and Tricia Setser, 38.
The three are accused of leading a methamphetamine trafficking ring that operated within Pickens, Gilmer, Sumter, Effingham, Fulton, Clayton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Cherokee counties, while also extending into Tennessee and West Virginia.
"In September 2019, Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad (CMANS) agents began an investigation into a supply chain of methamphetamine into Cherokee County," explained GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles. "The investigations led CMANS agents to DeKalb and Gwinnett counties and members of the Ghostface Gangsters."
That initial investigation, which would later expand to include the GBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), led to the discovery of the above suspects, as well as their connection to a network involving the Ghostface Gangsters, the Gangster Disciples and the Sureños.
McCoy was at the center of the 9-month investigation, with Miles noting that he was connected to a majority of the suspects.
"These individuals conspired with one or more persons to participate, directly and indirectly, in an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity, and did commit at least one overt act and conspired to commit a felony with Brannon McCoy," Miles said. "Mr. McCoy acted as a broker from within the State Prison Camp in Sumter County, Georgia, for the distribution of methamphetamine from members of drug trafficking organizations in Mexico to the streets of North Georgia, Tennessee, and West Virginia."
The investigation culminated with a total of 47 arrest warrants, 36 of which have already been carried out, resulting in the arrest of a suspect.
34 suspects were charged in Pickens County with Violation of the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.
The remaining 13 face charges including Trafficking Methemphetamine, Possession of Methemphetamine and Obstruction.
For a full list of the names and charges of those involved, follow this link.
